Chapter 56 - Washing Away Years
Summary: Purah uses her age-reducing rune on Link at Zora's Domain.
The first rays of the morning sun crept over Ploymus Mountain, casting a soft glow across the house by Mikau Lake as Mipha stirred in her sleep. The excitement and anticipation that had kept her awake most of the night still buzzed through her veins, though fatigue had finally set in. But how could Link sleep so soundly?
Two days ago, they received a letter from Zelda explaining that Purah and Robbie would arrive today to administer the anti-aging rune on Link. A wave of nervousness and thrill washed over Mipha as she thought about the possibility of many more years ahead with her loving husband.
As she lay there waiting for Link to awaken, Mipha could hear the sounds of their children, Raypha and Tidon, stirring in the kitchen. Tidon soon left to catch fish while Raypha began preparing the cooking pot for Link's meal. It was a sweet gesture that had become routine since the children had gotten older and wanted to help with chores.
Several minutes later, the sound of food sizzling in the pan and the scent of cooked fish wafted through the air. She gently nudged Link awake.
"Huh? Is it morning already?" said Link as he rubbed his eyes, and then they kissed briefly.
"Yes, on a very special day for you, something like a re-birthday," said Mipha. "I hardly slept a wink thinking about it, yet you slept like a clam."
"I guess I'm a heavy sleeper," laughed Link. "But I smell breakfast. We should get up."
Mipha and Link slipped out of their slumber pool and, after Link got dressed, made their way to the kitchen table.
"Good morning," Mipha and Link said as Raypha and Tidon returned the greeting.
"Ah, just in time, Dad," said Raypha as she moved Link's fish to a plate and brought it over to him.
"Thanks, Raypha, and thanks, TIdon, for catching this delicious-looking Hyrule Bass," said Link.
"I don't mind cooking, Dad," said Raypha. "I feel rather unique thinking I'm one of the few Zoras who knows how to prepare Hylian food. Well, at least fish dishes."
"And you do a fine job," laughed Link. "It's very tasty."
After finishing breakfast, Raypha and Tidon got ready to leave for class.
"I hope you both finished your homework," said Link as he hugged them goodbye.
"I did," replied Raypha confidently. "Once I start, I can stay focused."
She grinned at Tidon, who shook his head as Raypha enjoyed teasing him about losing his concentration.
"I'm the same way, Ray," he said with a smile. "Despite what you may think."
"I guess we will find out once it's been graded," Mipha replied as she hugged them before they left.
As soon as the children were out of the house, Link let out a sigh of relief.
"I was trying to act normal while they were here, but now that I'm awake, I feel butterflies in my stomach," he admitted. "I'm more nervous about this than I let on. What about you?"
"I'm nervous too and, as I said, could hardly sleep last night," Mipha replied, taking his hand in hers. "But I'm also excited. If this works, sweetheart, it will wash away one of my deepest fears - living without you."
"I know, my love," whispered Link as he caressed her hand. "I never want to imagine us being apart. That's why I'm willing to take this risk."
"Oh! Wait right here!" Mipha suddenly exclaimed as she remembered something.
She disappeared into their room and returned with their Sheikah Slate in hand. "Smile," she directed at Link as she aimed the slate at him. "I want a before and after picture."
Link chuckled and smiled as Mipha captured the moment on the slate.
Meanwhile, at Hyrule Castle, Zelda sipped her morning tea and gazed out the family dining room window, her mind elsewhere. Her husband Royce noticed and commented on her distraction.
"You seem preoccupied this morning, sweetheart," he remarked from his seat beside her. "And I doubt it's because of my charming presence since you're looking away from me."
Zelda turned to face him with a smile.
"As handsome and charming as you are, dear, I do occasionally have other things on my mind," she replied, setting down her tea and squeezing his hand.
"Like the other important man in your life, a legendary hero named Link?" Royce teased playfully.
"Jealous?" Zelda teased back.
"Just a little," Royce admitted.
"Don't be. It's not like that," Zelda reassured him. "We care for each other in a very special way, but not romantically. As we discussed, Dr. Purah plans to use her anti-aging rune on Link today. So, I'm naturally worried about how it will go."
"Do you trust Purah's work?" Royce asked after swallowing a sip of tea.
"Yes, to a degree. She and Dr. Robbie are both brilliant scientists. But Purah has always tended to be willing to take shortcuts for quick results, relying on her intuition. However, she has been extremely thorough in her research about the physical changes her rune will cause, which is one reason I gave her permission to use it. Still, as you well know, experimental science always has an element of risk and uncertainty. For example, I forbade Purah from testing the rune on herself, so it has never been used on a sentient being, a subject that could describe the effects on its mind. So, we can't be sure of Link's mental condition after treatment. For example, he could lose his memory or even go mad."
"That would be a horrible outcome for his wife and family," said Royce.
"Yes, exchanging a loving husband and father for a young stranger is not what we had in mind," Zelda sighed, shaking her head. "But when I mentioned this possibility to Purah, she laughed and said it was highly unlikely. I can recall the conversation we had.
"So, there is no chance Link's mind could be adversely affected?"
"As a scientist dealing with the unknown, one never likes to say something is impossible," Purah replied. "Without experimental data on the rune's effect on Hylians, I cannot give precise odds. But I would say almost impossible."
"How almost is almost?" said Zelda.
"Well, as far as I can tell from the shepherd I hired, none of the sheep or cows lost their minds and went mad," Purah added. "At least not yet.
"I did not find that especially comforting," said Zelda as she finished the story. "Still, Purah is right much more often than she is wrong."
"I can see that. Perhaps we should focus on work instead," Royce suggested, hoping to take her mind off her worries about Link. "I could use your advice on one of the proposed engineering projects."
"Of course, sweetheart," Zelda agreed with a knowing smile, aware of his intentions. "But don't underestimate my multitasking ability; I'm still perfectly capable of worrying about Link."
"Is that another one of your royal powers?"
"No, just the power to see through your tactics," Zelda chuckled. "But yes, by all means let's discuss the engineering project."
Later that morning at Zora's Domain, Robbie stirred from his sleep in the Seabed Inn and saw Purah sitting up, engrossed in her Sheikah Slate.
"Did you get some good rest?" she asked, glancing at him.
"Good morning to you, too," Robbie replied with a smile. "I must admit, splurging on a water bed was a great decision. It was so relaxing. And I had no nightmares about animals at the lab for the first time in a long while."
"I'm glad you slept well," said Purah, ignoring his comment about her test subjects. "But we should grab some breakfast and then get to work. I heard they have fresh fish here."
"That's not very surprising considering who lives here," mumbled Robbie as he rose from the bed.
They went across the plaza to Marot's Mart and bought two fish, which they cooked at the cooking pot by the inn before settling down in one of the gazebo structures to eat. The plaza was starting to come alive with activity, people chatting with friends and children playing and splashing in the water.
"This seems like such a happy village," remarked Purah after taking a bite of her fish. "No wonder Link enjoys living here."
"I suspect his happiness here has more to do with who he lives with rather than the state of the village," chuckled Robbie.
"You always bring up his marriage," replied Purah, shaking her head. "You should get married yourself and let me know how it is."
"You make it sound like another science experiment. But maybe someday I will," said Robbie with a shrug. "I'm still young. And if I ever need to reverse my age, I know who to come to."
"I'm surprised you'd trust me," laughed Purah as she finished her meal.
"Only after I double-checked your calculations myself," laughed Robbie.
"But enough talk, we should get going," said Purah as she got up, and they headed back to the plaza.
On their way east, Purah asked a guard for directions to Link's house.
"Just follow this path towards Mikau Lake," said the guard. "You can't miss it."
Following the guard's instructions, Purah and Robbie made their way towards Mikau Lake. The path was winding and dotted with colorful sea coral-shaped shrubs amidst tall evergreen trees. The tranquil sound of a waterfall grew louder as they neared the lake, creating a sense of calm.
Inside Link's house, Mipha watched as Link paced around anxiously.
"You should try to relax, Link," she suggested, trying to keep her nervousness from showing. "Purah and Robbie are experts in their field."
"I know that," Link replied, stopping his pace to glance at her. "It's just… there's so much at stake for me and for us."
Before Mipha could respond, they heard a knock on the door. Purah and Robbie finally arrived, and Mipha quickly let them in.
"Good morning, Princess," Purah greeted cheerfully. "Are we ready to get started?"
The next few minutes were a whirlwind of activity as Purah double-checked the settings on her Sheikah Slate, and Robbie confirmed them. Link stood by Mipha, gripping her hand tightly as they watched.
"Okay, Link," said Robbie finally. "We're ready. It would be best if you stepped over here, away from Mipha. We don't want stray energy from the beam touching anyone else."
Link nodded, taking one last reassuring glance at Mipha before stepping in front of the Sheikah Slate.
"Now, don't expect any sudden dramatic change," said Purah before she began. "The rune exposure will be brief, but the reverse aging process works slowly and best while you sleep. You may experience a slight fever and not change much on the first day. But by day three, you should look and feel twenty years younger, and the process should stop then. Robbie and I will remain in the Domain to check on your condition and refine my research data. Any questions?"
"No, I think I understand," Link replied, swallowing hard.
"Then hold still. Here we go!" said Purah.
Link closed his eyes as Purah activated the Sheikah Slate.
There was a flash of blue light and a sharp tingling sensation that coursed throughout his body. It wasn't painful, but it was strange and unsettling.
"Alright, that's it," announced Purah once the light vanished. "How do you feel, Link?"
"I…I feel the same," he said, opening his eyes only to see concerned expressions on their faces.
"That's normal," Purah reassured him. "As I mentioned, changes won't be immediate. Let's give it some time."
The rest of the day was spent quietly with occasional check-ups from Purah and Robbie. Mipha stayed by Link's side, her loving presence offering comfort given the uncertainty of the situation. The children returned home and caught dinner for everyone, then retreated to their rooms to work on homework and go to sleep afterward.
That night, sleep came to Mipha in slow waves. She awoke several times to check on Link, who had indeed developed a low-grade fever, signaling the beginning of the transformation process. But he had no trouble staying asleep.
Mipha also awoke early the following day to find Link still sleeping soundly. She gazed at him with a mixture of hope and anxiety, wondering what changes the day would bring. As the sun peeked through the window, she gently brushed his hair off his forehead, feeling the warmth of his skin from the low-grade fever.
Link stirred, his eyes fluttering open as he focused on Mipha's face. "Good morning," he murmured, his voice slightly hoarse from sleep.
"How are you feeling?" Mipha asked, concern lacing her words.
"I feel… pretty much the same," he admitted, studying his hands as if expecting them to look younger already.
Mipha reached out to hold his hand, offering a reassuring squeeze. "It's only been a day, sweetheart. Remember what Purah said about the process taking time."
Link nodded, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his features before he masked it with a small smile. "Patience has never been my strong suit."
They rose for breakfast as usual, and after the children left, they waited for Purah and Robbie to arrive for their morning check-up. Mipha felt a mix of emotions swirling within her: anticipation, worry, and a glimmer of hope. She knew this transformation was not just about reversing age but also embracing the chance of a longer life together.
When Purah and Robbie finally arrived and entered the room, Mipha greeted them with a smile.
"Good morning. How's Link doing today?" Purah asked.
"He seems fine," said Mipha.
"Do you know who we are, Link?" Purah asked, a question that drew a surprised look from Link and an apprehensive one from Mipha.
"Of course! You're Dr. Purah and Dr. Robbie," said Link. "Why do you ask?"
"Are you asking because you fear Link will suffer some memory loss from the procedure?" Mipha asked. "We didn't discuss that possibility."
"Just making sure," said Purah as she shook her head. "I didn't really think the question was necessary."
"I'm not sure how I would cope with Link losing his memory of me," said Mipha. "I hope you're correct."
"Now for some specific measurements," said Purah as she aimed her Sheikah Slate at him.
"It seems like everything is progressing as expected," she answered, checking the readings.
Robbie approached Link with a warm smile. "Any noticeable changes so far?"
Link shook his head. "Not yet. But I did have a weird dream last night."
"What was it about?" Mipha inquired, curious despite herself.
Link recounted the dream in vivid detail - a mix of memories from past adventures.
"I dreamt Mipha and I were traveling across Hyrule, battling enemies, as we did once," said Link. "I haven't dreamed about that in some time."
Purah listened intently before nodding thoughtfully. "Dreams can reflect our inner thoughts and emotions. It's not uncommon to experience vivid dreams during times of significant change. And you are definitely going through change, though it's not evident yet."
Mipha squeezed Link's hand reassuringly. "Just remember that I'm here with you every step of the way."
After the morning check-up concluded, Purah and Robbie left and discussed their plans for the day. The day passed in a blur of activities - measurements taken, and periodic monitoring of Link's condition. Mipha found solace in focusing on each task at hand, channeling her fears into productivity.
By evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the room, Link looked out the window watching the stars twinkle into existence one by one.
"Mipha," he called softly, drawing her attention away from reading the minutes from one of her father's meetings.
"Yes?" Mipha replied, joining him by the window.
"I just wanted to say thank you," Link said earnestly. "For being with me through this. Knowing you're here makes me feel better."
Mipha touched his shoulder gently. "Link, I've told you I will always protect you. And I meant it."
On the second day of their experiment, Link and Mipha watched Purah take measurements, and a sense of anticipation hung in the air.
Link had awoken to a strange tingling sensation in his body. At first, he thought it was just nerves from the experiment, but soon, he noticed that he was feeling more energetic and vibrant. He ran his hand through his hair and noticed it felt thicker and fuller. Mipha couldn't help but smile at the sight.
"According to my readings, you're about 5 to 10 years younger," Purah announced, causing everyone's eyes to widen in excitement.
"Do you notice any changes, Link?" Mipha asked, her voice filled with hope.
"It's hard to say," Link replied. "But I do feel more youthful."
Mipha leaned in for a closer look, her eyes scanning his face. "Your skin looks more radiant, too," she said, her heart fluttering at the thought of having a younger Link by her side.
Suddenly, Mipha threw her arms around him, and they shared a passionate kiss until Robbie cleared his throat and gave Purah a nudge.
"Well, um, perhaps we should leave you two now," said Robbie.
"Yes, tonight is the big night, so be sure to get a good night's sleep," added Purah as they prepared to leave.
Mipha blushed but smiled, kissing Link's cheek before reluctantly releasing him from her embrace.
As Purah and Robbie left the room, Mipha couldn't wipe the smile off her face. She fussed over Link, tucking his hair behind his ears and smoothing out non-existent wrinkles on his shirt.
"I'm getting excited now, as I sense this is going to work," Link declared boldly.
"You're not nervous anymore?"
His eyes sparkled with a youthfulness that made Mipha's heart flutter. "Well… maybe just a little. I want everything to be perfect for you."
Mipha smiled, her fingers tracing down his cheek as she gazed into his eyes. "Change can be scary," she admitted. "But remember, I'm here for you."
As the night wore on, sleep evaded them both until Link finally fell into a deep sleep. Mipha floated awake beside him, sleeping intermittently, her thoughts consumed by worry for her husband's well-being as well as excitement at what was happening.
Morning came, and the children would be leaving for school soon, but knowing that Purah had stressed the importance of rest in order for the process to work effectively, Mipha let Link continue sleeping as she got up.
"Is Dad going back to sleeping late again?" Raypha asked with a frown as she cooked his fish over the fire.
"He has a slight fever," replied Mipha. "Sleep will help him recover. I'll re-heat his fish when he wakes up."
Once the children were gone, Mipha cleaned up and put Link's uneaten fish on ice. She quietly returned to their room and slipped back into their slumber pool beside her husband. The brighter morning light shone through the window, revealing Link's face more clearly. Mipha couldn't help but gasp at how youthful he looked - just like he did on their wedding day when he was only nineteen years old.
Link stirred awake at the sound of her gasp and smiled at her.
"How are you feeling?" Mipha asked, embracing him.
"I feel fantastic, no signs of fever," said Link. "Just hungry. How do I look?"
Mipha's heart swelled with joy as tears filled her eyes, and she replied, "You look like the same young man who first kissed me, my love. Oh, Link! It worked! It truly worked!"
"Thank Hylia!" exclaimed Link before pulling her in for a deep kiss, followed by another and then another.
Afterward, Mipha re-heated the fish for Link while he sat at the table.
"Purah and Robbie will be here soon to check on your condition," said Mipha as she brought over his plate. "But I can already vouch that you're in perfect shape, sweetheart, as young as ever."
Link blushed and nearly choked on his fish before laughing.
"Maybe we should keep that between us, dear," he joked. "Let them evaluate me scientifically."
"Oh! I want to take an after picture now," said Mipha as she rose to retrieve their Sheikah Slate, but Link stopped her by taking her hand.
"Let's get a picture of both of us together later," said Link. "I think that's one we might like to look back at someday. And perhaps at Veiled Falls where our love story began."
"That's a perfect idea," said Mipha as she squeezed his hand.
Later that morning, Purah and Robbie arrived to take Link's readings, and Purah could hardly contain her enthusiasm.
"A perfect success!" Purah exclaimed after she confirmed Link had the physical attributes of a nineteen-year-old Hylian. "Of course, that was only to be expected given all my skilled research. Still, verifying it with measurements is worthwhile."
"And wait … who are you two again?" Link teased, making Robbie laugh.
"Nice try," said Purah. "I already scanned for brain impairment. Well, Robbie and I should be off now, as I'm sure Her Majesty will want a full report of my dramatic success. She told me she would wait for that before messaging you."
"Very well, we will wait to hear from her," said Mipha. "And thank you from the bottom of my heart. I cannot express what this means to Link, me, and our family."
"You are very welcome, Princess," said Purah. "You both deserve it for all you've done for our kingdom."
"Now, we should go, and I hope you both have some sympathy for me," said Robbie.
"Why is that?" Link asked.
"Because I shall have to listen to my dear colleague's boasting the entire journey back to Hyrule Castle," said Robbie, shaking his head and making everyone but Purah laugh.
After saying their goodbyes, Mipha retrieved the Sheikah Slate from their room, and Link took her hand as they strolled towards Veiled Falls.
"I wonder if anyone will notice a difference in me?" Link pondered.
"Everyone, to some extent. But especially the children, Sidon and Father," Mipha replied. "They see you regularly. Others may simply think you look healthier."
When they reached Veiled Falls, Mipha propped up the Sheikah Slate on a nearby tree, aimed it at the rock in the center of the water, and set a timer for a delayed photo. They both laughed as they hurried into position, sitting side by side on the rock with their arms around each other. Mipha returned to check how the picture turned out and was satisfied. Then she waded back into the water to sit beside Link as the sound of the splashing waterfall behind them filled the air.
"You know, we look just like when we shared our first kiss," Link remarked. "It's as if we're reliving that special moment."
"Yes, I will always remember that. But what matters most to me is that we have many more kisses and a longer future together ahead of us," Mipha said as they shared another kiss. "What matters most to you, my love?"
"Well, more kisses, of course, and being able to raise our children, watch them grow up, and support you for many more years," Link responded thoughtfully. "But if I had to choose something else very dear to my heart…um… maybe it's not having to diet anymore?"
Mipha chuckled as she playfully pushed him into the water before diving in beside him.
"Mmm, nice try, sweetheart. I'm afraid you'll have to live with only more kisses," said Mipha as she held him close. "As young as you are now, you must still watch your diet. I want to squeeze every last healthy year out of you."
"Aww, only more kisses to look forward to?" Link pretended to pout, then pulled her close. "I guess I can live with that."
Then they laughed as she pulled him behind the waterfall, and they melted into each other's arms.